Open Minded Seniors Prom 2010 Information

Origin and History

The Open Minded Seniors (OMS) is a group of concerned, elderly, retired, and dedicated citizens of Tillery, Crowells, Hills Crossroads, Spring Hill, Slashes, Dawson and other communities that emerged from the Concerned Citizens of Tillery (CCT) in July 1986. OMS is self-supporting group who establishes its own goals and agendas. OMS address the needs of the senior population, who constitute over 85% of the total CCT service area population. The group holds weekly meetings, have established a food pantry, and have organized a variety of educational and empowerment activities. OMS is a member of the Halifax County Council on Aging. In July 1984, CCT in conjunction with the North Carolina Student Rural Health Coalition (NCSRHC) held the first Health Fair for the Tillery Community in the Tillery Community Center. The Health Fair made CCT members aware of the need for an organization to address the needs of senior citizens. Recognizing this fact, Lola Williams, a community-minded person, Gary Grant, CCT Executive Director, and Rebecca "Becky" Smith, organizing intern, would not let it rest. They went from door to door asking seniors to come together. On July 15, 1986, sixteen people gathered at the Tillery Community Center to organize a senior's group, at which time they had their first speaker, Mr. Andrew Clogdell of the legal services of the Coastal Plain office in Ahoskie. Two weeks later, on July 23, 1986, 36 people were present and the group was "off and running," as an organized group with its second speaker, Dr. Joyce Percy, Superintendent of Halifax County Schools. The group was named the Open Minded Seniors on September 10, 1986.

During 1987 and early 1988, the group received partial nutrition supplement from Region L Council of Government. Sandra Shearin and Annie Tillery took blood pressure for the first year of the organization. Jean Clark, Bessie Solomon and Elnora Johnson served as the first OMS volunteer cooks, and the alternate was Marie Johnson. CCT connected with the Food Bank of North Carolina in Raleigh for assistance with food for the group.

Statement of Purpose

To promote and improve the social, economic and educational welfare and quality of life for the senior population of the Tillery community.

To enhance the lives of the seniors in their golden years.

To provide and encourage participation in group activities and discussions of issues concerning the community and individual's personal interests.

To provide devotional services, exercise and other activities that allow for extended active life.

To provide educational and cultural services through speakers, literacy classes and leadership development.

To provide easy access to support services.

To be a part of the Halifax County Council on Aging.

To address health care and health issues.

To provide a clean and attractive community.

Outstanding Accomplishments

The Open Minded Seniors have had many outstanding accomplishments. Because of the vast number of achievements, it is hard to name them all. The range is great and addresses and meets the needs of the senior population. After meeting with authorities, the Tillery Community Center has become a site for Supplementary Food Distribution. OMS hosts an annual fundraiser. They help organize the Annual Black History Celebrations in February for CCT. An attorney from Legal Services attends OMS meetings once a month. Approximately twelve speakers per year including foreigners and government officials address the seniors. OMS is a member of the Council on Aging and the Executive Director of CCT sits on its Board of Directors. OMS has personnel from the Department of Social Services to come to the Tillery Community Center to register participants for Food Stamps, energy assistance and the supplemental food program. OMS has brought in medical representatives from the Halifax County Health Department to attend OMS meetings and administer "Flu Shots." Lead & Serve also sends speakers on nutrition and other issues. OMS has provided literacy classes for the senior population and participates in the rural Meals on Wheels program and the Senior Expo.

OMS participates in the Halifax County Senior Games annually. Members encourage and have consistently participated in voting an election education. They hold an annual election of officers for the group and currently have four committees within OMS: Program Committee, Food Committee, OMS Ensemble, and the Hospitality Committee.

Each week OMS news is published in the local newspaper, the Daily Herald's Senior Forum and monthly in CCT's News Notes. OMS participates in CCT's Annual Family Day, CCT's Holiday Fellowship Hour and area towns' and cities' Christmas Parades. OMS sponsors field trips to places such as Nag's Head, Morehead City, Happy Acres Peach Farm, Lakeland Arts Center, and the State Fair in Raleigh. They regularly attend the Roanoke Valley Aging Conferences sponsored by the Halifax County Council on Aging and the Halifax County Cooperative Extension Office. Choanoke Public Transit Authority (CPTA) and the CCT Van have been secured to furnish transportation for OMS members.

OMS hosted Junebug Productions and Roadside Theater Group. They participated in the Community Voices Training Program sponsored by North Carolina A&T University from January through June 1991 with twelve people graduating form the course. OMS hosted the area's first Senior Seminar on April 18, 1992 with six speakers from agencies in support of senior services and fourteen candidates running for public office in the May 1992 election. The group also organizes visitations to the twelve different churches attended by members of OMS.

The seniors have strongly supported the actions of CCT's Halifax Environmental Loss Prevention ( HELP). In addition to launching a successful letter writing campaign, OMS members participated in: a "sit in" at a public hearing of the Halifax County Commissioners in March 1992 regarding livestock development in the county; the Hogtoberfest II rally and picketing of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and Becker Village Mall in Roanoke Rapids; and the march and rally in Raleigh at the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) public hearings concerning environmental waste regulations and water safety, pertaining to large livestock operations in North Carolina and Halifax County.

OMS participates in and supports the CCT Area Wide Health Committee ( AWHC ) and the Curin' House. There is a healthier senior population as a result of this participation. Together with CCT, OMS has received numerous plaques and citations for community services. Several OMS members have been recognized by CCT for outstanding support.

OMS participated in the 1992 Council on Aging's Halifax County Aging Survey.

The greatest accomplishment of OMS lies in the community of togetherness which has been built. The fact that we are there for each other in times of need and distress is no minor incident. We have truly learned the meaning of "... and now abideth faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love."

In Their Own Words

The Best is Yet to Come!

Yes, we have grown in wisdom, knowledge, compassion, and strength. We are more knowledgeable about our needs and desires and more willing to reach out and see ways of fulfilling them. We reach out to our fellow OMS members and neighbors in joys and in sorrows. Our unity and fellowship shared makes us stronger. We will keep on striving to attain the highest possible quality of life. We will put more living into our lives, living the fullest to the end. We will strive to rule our own destiny because we firmly believe the best is yet to be.